Sappi Printers of the Year awards

The panel of judges consisted of Johan Swanepoel (Seriti Printing), Richard Nichols (Multiprint Litho), Natalie Rogers (Investec), Erich Kühl (PIFSA), Barry Roberts (Pro-Print) and Ian Shepherd (Ian Shepherd Consulting). They commented on the good finishing and in particular, the die cutting and varnishing applied in the winning entries, which were of a very high standard with good attention to detail and striking use of colour. Entries were also praised for print innovation displayed and the overall visual appeal and choice of substrates.

This recognition of printing excellence was even more sweet for Trident, who walked off with 2 Golds, 3 Silvers and 1 Bronze award, given that it had had a rocky period in 2009, resulting in a rescue deal being successfully mounted by the present Directors. "It has been a veritable rise of the Phoenix from the ashes" said a beaming Lucas McDowall, sales director of Trident, as he collected yet another award. "It could not have happened at a better time. Last year we were down and out, and this year we are the best in Africa. I am so unbelievably proud of everyone at Trident".

Gold award winners

• Annual Reports - INCE
• Books - Trident Press
• Brochures - Pro-Print
• Calendars - Trident Press
• Catalogues - Seriti Printing
• Digital - 24 Hour Photobooks
• General Print - Colors
• Magazine Sheetfed - Paarl Media Paarl
• Packaging and Labels - Masterpack

Dinga Mncube, executive director marketing: Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging South Africa, took the opportunity to explain how Sappi was refreshing its commitment to profitability by merging two of its southern African divisions, Sappi Fine Paper South Africa and Sappi Kraft, into a new division called Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging South Africa. A list of all the winners - Gold, Silver and Bronze - will be available on www.sappi.com.

Last updated on 23 Augist at 12.15pm